Canada

Canada Start-Up Visa Program

Establish an Innovative Business and Obtain Canadian Permanent Residence

The program offered permanent residence to entrepreneurs with an innovative business supported by a designated organization.

An eligible spouse or common-law partner and dependent children could be included, subject to business, language, financial and admissibility requirements.

Current Program Status

The program is paused and is not accepting new applications.

No certificates were issued after December 31, 2025; valid 2025 certificate holders had to apply by June 30, 2026.

About Canada

Canada offers a stable economy, skilled workforce and strong innovation sector.

Permanent residents may live, work and study anywhere in Canada while maintaining their status and complying with Canadian law.

Designated Organization Support

Applicants were required to obtain support through one of the following routes:

• Designated Venture Capital Fund
  • Minimum investment of CAD $200,000 from one or more designated funds
• Designated Angel Investor Group
  • Minimum investment of CAD $75,000 from one or more designated groups
• Designated Business Incubator
  • Acceptance into an approved incubation or acceleration program
  • No prescribed minimum investment from the incubator

The organization issued a Letter of Support and filed the commitment certificate with IRCC.

Qualifying Business Requirements

Up to five founders could apply together.

Each applicant generally needed 10% voting rights; applicants and the organization together needed over 50%.

The business had to be incorporated, operated and actively managed in Canada.

Language and Settlement Requirements

Applicants needed CLB 5 in all four English or French skills.

They also needed separate settlement funds for the family.

Family Eligibility

Eligible family members could include:

• A spouse or common-law partner
• Dependent children generally under age 22
• Older dependent children in limited cases involving a qualifying physical or mental condition

All family members were subject to medical, criminality and security screening.

Comprehensive Application Assessment

The assessment could include:

• Support, ownership and founder-role verification
• Language and settlement-fund evidence
• Biometrics, medical, police and security checks
• Possible interviews, further documents or peer review

Business Establishment in Canada

Applicants had to actively develop the business through incorporation, product development, hiring, partnerships and customer acquisition.

The program was not intended for passive investors.

Program Benefits

• Direct pathway to Canadian permanent residence
• Inclusion of eligible family members
• Ability to establish and manage a Canadian business
• Access to Canadian markets and support
• Right to live, work and study in Canada
• Potential future eligibility for Canadian citizenship

Potential Path to Canadian Citizenship

Permanent residents may later apply for citizenship after meeting physical-presence, tax, language, knowledge and admissibility requirements.

Applicants generally need at least 1,095 days of physical presence in Canada during the five years before applying.